Answer all questions carefully. Questions are UPSC-level involving statement analysis, chronology, and analytical reasoning.
hard•8 questions•~15 min
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Question 01
hard
Consider the following statements about Chandragupta Maurya and the founding of the Maurya empire:
1. According to the brahmanical tradition, Chandragupta was born of Mura, a sudra woman in the court of the Nandas.
2. According to the Buddhist tradition, Chandragupta belonged to a kshatriya clan called Mauryas living in the region of Gorakhpur adjoining the Nepalese terai.
3. In exchange for eastern Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and the area west of the Indus, Chandragupta gave Seleucus 500 elephants.
4. According to the Roman writer Pliny, Chandragupta maintained 600,000 foot-soldiers, 30,000 cavalry, and 9000 elephants.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 02
hard
With reference to the Mauryan administrative system, consider the following statements:
1. Each province of the empire was placed under a prince who was a scion of the royal dynasty.
2. The administration of Pataliputra was carried on by six committees, each consisting of five members, entrusted with sanitation, care of foreigners, registration of birth and death, regulation of weights and measures, and similar functions.
3. The armed forces were administered by a board of 30 officers divided into six committees, each of five members - corresponding to the six wings of the army: army, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy, and transport.
4. The Arthasastra of Kautilya was compiled during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya and provides contemporary evidence about Mauryan administration.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 03
hard
Consider the following statements about the Kalinga war and its aftermath:
1. According to Asoka's own inscriptions, 100,000 people were killed in the Kalinga war and 150,000 were taken prisoners.
2. As a result of the Kalinga war, Asoka abandoned the policy of bherighosha (physical occupation) in favour of dhammaghosha (cultural conquest).
3. Asoka gave up Kalinga after its conquest and did not incorporate it into his empire, as a sign of his remorse.
4. Asoka asked his successors to give up the policy of conquest and aggression that had been followed by the Magadhan princes till the Kalinga war.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 04
medium
With reference to Asoka's inscriptions, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Question 05
hard
Consider the following statements about Asoka's Dhamma:
1. Asoka's dhamma was not a narrow dhamma and cannot be regarded as a sectarian faith - its broad objective was to preserve the social order.
2. Asoka ordained that people should obey their parents, pay respect to brahmanas and Buddhist monks, and show mercy to slaves and servants.
3. Asoka's teachings were intended to help people attain nirvana - the goal of Buddhist teachings - through good behaviour.
4. Asoka appointed dharmamahamattas for propagating dharma among various social groups including women.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 06
hard
RS Sharma identifies a historical parallel for Asoka's pacific policy. Which of the following correctly identifies this parallel?
Question 07
hard
Consider the following statements about Asoka's place in history as described by RS Sharma:
1. It is said that the pacific policy of Asoka ruined the Maurya empire - RS Sharma agrees with this assessment.
2. Asoka was certainly the greatest missionary ruler in the history of the ancient world.
3. Although Kautilya advised the king to be always intent on physical conquest, Asoka followed just the reverse policy.
4. Asoka's policy made a lasting impression on his viceroys and vassals, who continued his policy of peace even after his death.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Question 08
medium
The Rummindei Pillar Inscription of Asoka is significant because it: